Why did WWE book Damien Sandow to be unsuccessful in his "cash in" attempt on the World Heavyweight Championship on this week's episode of Monday Night Raw?

I was told that Vince McMahon wanted to do something big to combat the competition from the World Series and Monday Night Football. People want to know if Sandow is in the doghouse or if it's a lack of confidence in him and I simply cannot confirm either of those claims as of this writing. I will tell you the time and place seem odd and it looks like there is more to the story but I just can't speculate any further. As for the match itself, there were a lot of people that thought Sandow looked great in the ring and others in awe of Cena working at a high level just a couple months after surgery.

Is it just me or was John Cena's promo to open Monday Night Raw one of the better ones he has had? It almost seemed like vintage Cena.

I agree the opening segment of this week's Monday Night Raw was particularly strong and that John Cena delivered an excellent return promo. People are quick to criticize Cena but slow to praise him, however, he deserves some praise here. He worked a good match against Alberto Del Rio at Hell in a Cell, gave a great promo to open Raw and had an even better match with Damien Sandow. It's the "face of WWE" stepping up when they company desperately needs him to do so. Talented people such as John Cena often "rise up to the occasion" and I feel this is what we have witnessed here. A lot of people are frustrated with the lack of progression with the Cena character, and rightfully so, but there is no doubting he has been missed over the last 2 months.

What is William Regal up too nowadays?

William Regal is still under WWE contract and wears a couple of hats. For one, he's a color commentator on WWE NXT and worked last week's set of tapings from the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Another position he has in WWE is that of a talent scout, where he helps evaluate WWE prospects. Regal understands his time in the ring is limited and he is sometimes used, especially when WWE tours across the pond.

What are the qualifications to become a WWE storyline writer?

Believe it or not, this is a common question that I actually answered this time last year. WWE has a website setup at WWE-Careers.com where they post job listings but for whatever reason, that website is currently down. However, I posted the requirements and qualifications to get hired as a WWE creative writer at this link.

Do you think WWE has actually hurt Daniel Bryan's momentum with the constant screwjob finishes since SummerSlam?

I briefly touched on this in Monday's Ask WNW because I hated the way WWE ended the Hell in a Cell main event. It's inconceivable that WWE would "screw" Daniel Bryan out of the title in 4 pay-per-view main events straight but that's exactly what they did. If there is one good thing to come out of it, it's the fact that Daniel Bryan is still very over. However, they made the program far too one-sided and never made it look like Bryan had a chance of actually keeping the WWE Championship. Some have asked my thoughts on Bryan moving out of the WWE title picture and at this point, it's needed.

From the Ask WNW vault…

June 2010: Whatever happened to longtime WCW play-by-play announcer Tony Schiavone? - Tony is now the play-by-play announcer for the Atlanta Braves' minor league AAA-affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves of the International League. He has worked in sports and sports radio since his tenure with WCW came to an end.

The next installment of Ask WNW is scheduled to run on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. Remember questions that are legible stand the best chance of getting answered. Check out the Ask WNW archive at this link.

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Matt

Cena used new moves. He must have actually learned something at the WWE Performance center.

Jaryd

Ah, sweet cynicism. He obviously knows other moves, but why would he expand his moveset so much on a regular basis when he doesn’t need to? He’s the face of the company, he’s won, he doesn’t need to do anything differently no matter how much we want it or it’s needed.

Jbreed

Sure so we should be happy with seeing the same John Cena we’ve seen for the past ten years.

Jbreed

Sure so we should be happy with seeing the same John Cena we’ve seen for the past ten years.

Nostaljack

Yeah, because he couldn’t work at all before his injury…SMH. Love mark knee-jerking.

Matt

Cena used new moves. He must have actually learned something at the WWE Performance center.

So the WWE Universe votes on a match that lasted about five minutes. Wow! What a waste of time! By the way, couldn’t be any less interested in a superstar than the Miz right now.

Kevin

So the WWE Universe votes on a match that lasted about five minutes. Wow! What a waste of time! By the way, couldn’t be any less interested in a superstar than the Miz right now.

Lebron James

It seems like Vinny is finally going to tweak Cena’s gimmick. That sounded A LOT like Dr. Of Thuganomics Cena last night. Hope they progress with that.

Bob’s Diner

Don’t get your hopes up – every time it looks like there might be some changes, he goes back to happy smiling Super Cena. I seriously doubt they will ever change anything to do with his character. Not even a little bit. If they didn’t change anything about him when he was feuding with The Rock, I can’t believe they ever will.

True. Hope and WWE don’t go together in this world. Just the fact that they teased it will do haha.

Bob’s Diner

Don’t get your hopes up – every time it looks like there might be some changes, he goes back to happy smiling Super Cena. I seriously doubt they will ever change anything to do with his character. Not even a little bit. If they didn’t change anything about him when he was feuding with The Rock, I can’t believe they ever will.

Lebron James

It seems like Vinny is finally going to tweak Cena’s gimmick. That sounded A LOT like Dr. Of Thuganomics Cena last night. Hope they progress with that.

Jamie

I’ve never been slow to praise Cena. It’s amazing what he can do, how he does come back so early, what he does for people and the business. His gimmick is just a bit dull.

Jamie

I’ve never been slow to praise Cena. It’s amazing what he can do, how he does come back so early, what he does for people and the business. His gimmick is just a bit dull.

Ira Sy

I believe San Dow went under in order to write out of TV for a few weeks. He is in France promoting the GAME.

Jbreed

Damien Sandow is done. This was the WWE’s chance to make a star out of him and they dropped the ball just so they could keep making Cena look like Superman. This is what the WWE does. I’m surprised everybody is not used to it by now.

Bob’s Diner

Hey now, Cena was the underdog! What a triumph it was for a 14-time world champion to come back from injury and immediately win a title, which he has only done 5 times before, and then defeat a guy that probably hasn’t won a match in months. CENA RISING ABOVE THE ODDS!!!

Stephen

You obviously have no clue. If WWE was done with Sandow he would have been squashed in a matter of seconds. That match probably helped Sandows career.

Jbreed

Yeah dude just like Cena helped every other guys career who stepped in the ring with him. What wrestling show have you been watching over the past ten years?

Jbreed

And just because a guy doesn’t get squashed means he’s sure to get a push? It’s the dumbest thing I ever heard. Anyway, the MITB doesn’t always mean anything. Look at Jack Swagger, he’s now jobbing to a comedy tag team and being embarrassed by a midget in a bulls costume. Dolph Ziggler is nowhere to be found. And it took CM Punk 3 years after he won it and a pipebomb to get a main event push. So there’s a good chance Sandow is gonna suffer the same fate.

thepowerserge

Guess you don’t pay attention to TV much, right? Name ONE guy (who wasn’t already over with the fans) that Super Cena has actually HELPED by being in a match with them. The Almighty John Boy has buried more guys than he’s actually helped. And what’s worse, he leeches off their popularity with the fans in order to try to get someone over 10 to like him. He did it with Ryder, Punk, Bryan, and now with Sandow.

Jbreed

Damien Sandow is done. This was the WWE’s chance to make a star out of him and they dropped the ball just so they could keep making Cena look like Superman. This is what the WWE does. I’m surprised everybody is not used to it by now.

Jbreed

“There’s no doubting he (John Cena) has been missed for the last two months”.

Definitely true but those who missed him are the ten year old fans and Vince McMahon. John Cena away from the WWE was a breath of fresh air. Even though the corparate angle involving Daniel Bryan could have been better, it was still probably a lot more interesting than whatever they would have planned as the main event angle if Cena hadn’t gotten hurt.

BabaBooey

Exactly how I feel. I was crushed when Vickie said Cena would be at HIAC.

BabaBooey

Exactly how I feel. I was crushed when Vickie said Cena would be at HIAC.

Avalanchian

I missed Cena and I’m pushing towards 40.

lesnabis

I missed tremendously Cena and I’m 70 yers old!

JJ

No need for me to lie about my age, but cena being gone was definitely a breath of fresh air. I instantly was pissed when super cena emerged throughout the del rio match.

stoney

all I hope is that Daniel Bryan wins the royal rumble and challenges Randy Orton for the title at Wrestlemania.

thepowerserge

No more Orton. I’d rather see Bryan vs. Punk or Cesaro. Or Cody. Someone who can actually work a decent match against Bryan and not win based on whose ass he’s been kissing lately.

stoney

all I hope is that Daniel Bryan wins the royal rumble and challenges Randy Orton for the title at Wrestlemania.

The Breaker

Initially, I did take major issue with Sandow not going over last night. However, Cena is the best thing for the World Title right now. The belt feels significantly more important around his waist, so why risk undoing that after just one night? Not taking anything away from Sandow; he looked great last night despite the loss and further proved he deserves to be elevated. If WWE is serious about it they can make him a superstar even without the belt. He has all the right tools. Once he’s solidified, he’ll look that much better wearing the gold.

I still do question the decision to have Sandow attempt to cash-in right away on Cena instead of building up the suspense (I know he’s had it for a little while, but you knew he wasn’t going to use it against Del Rio), even though it makes perfect sense strategically in storyline that he would target Cena when he’s still recovering.

M

The WWE definately screwed up by screwing Bryan over 4 times, a potentially good feud was ruined. Bryan deserved better

Gary Robert

How about WWE just hire someone with a Creative brain? Apparently the current hiring process doesn’t work too well.

Tim

Who do you think had the best reign after cashing in.

The miz. Who had the longest reign. Out of all the cash ins. He defeated some great wrestlers.

Or

Kane who was the second longest. By a few days, he also defeated the undertaker 3 times in a row.

eskymi

I missed Cena. For me, having Orton as the Face of WWE is awful. At least I actually enjoy seeing Cena. Heck, Orton just gives my fast forward button a workout.

Bryan is over now, but it will fade. I think people will start feeling that no point in going gaga over him as he won’t win the belt and if he does he’ll get screwed out of it. So the cheers will slowly fade. Just my opinion. Hope I am wrong.

I was really thinking Sandow would win the cash in. Why? Well we were not 100% Cena was healthy….A perfect opportunity to give Sandow the belt and have Cena put him over. It was a fantastic match and I feel hook line and sinker thinking Sandow was winning. So in that aspect it accomplished what it set out to do. Make me believe that Sandow had a chance, and I truly did.

JJ

On the sandow issue, I believe it’s highly believable they seen him as someone so good, but not main event champ quite yet (one day guaranteed, maybe in the next year even), but where they felt even if he did drop the case; his personality and his ring work would still propel him up there and keep him in fan’s minds.